2.10.2011

Grammy's "Album of the Year" Cocktails at LA LIVE

It's been a hell of a week and I'm ready for a cocktail and some good music. Usually that entails my husband putting on one of his custom entertaining or Rat Pack-inspired playlists, opening a great bottle of wine, and enjoying our night. But this weekend I'm going to break away from the CabSauv and get into the Grammy groove with some specialty cocktails at downtown's LA LIVE. The Grammy's are one of my favorite award shows for one important reason: unlike the increasingly ridiculous and booze-fueled Golden Globes, the Grammy's actually feature memorable performances by talented entertainers. That's not to say watching Ricky Gervais slam Mel Gibson and Robert Downey, Jr. isn't memorable or entertaining, but it just makes me want to shake my head rather than my groove thang. Since I can't go to the actual award show, I'm celebrating the Grammy's by enjoying $10 cocktails dedicated to each of the five Album of the Year nominees (Lady Antebellum, Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, Eminem, Arcade Fire) at the Mixing Room and gLAnce Bar inside downtown's JW Marriot Hotel. The cocktails are available until this Sunday, Feb. 13, and I was lucky enough to score the ingredients in each. From my first impression alone, I'd have to cast my vote for Lady Antebellum's "Hot For You." What can I say, I'm addicted to spice! Check them all out below and if you make it downtown, let me know which cocktail you vote for!

Head to LA LIVE this weekend for Grammy's "Album of the Year" Cocktails

1. Lady Antebellum “Hot For You” CocktailWhy: “Need You Now” is the title of Lady Antebellum’s second album, which explores the desperate longings that make separated lovers yearn to reconnect. Take a sip and feel the heat described in the album through this Jalapenos-spiced cocktail.

Ingredients:

2 oz Cazadores Blanco Tequila

1 oz Pama Pomegranate Liqueur

1/2 oz Lime Juice Fresh Squeezed

1/2 oz Agave Nectar

Jalapeno

2. Lady GaGa's “Fame Monster” Cocktail Why: The Fame Monster album is shamelessly decadent. Eleven of its thirteen songs are about money, celebrity, sex, clubbing, or a sticky combination of all four. The “Fame Monster” signature cocktail contains all the energy of the album and is mixed with a Full Throttle energy drink.

Ingredients:

1 oz Vodka

1 oz Midori

1 oz Orange Juice

Top with energy drink (Full Throttle)

Garnish with two slices of cucumber facing up

3. Katy Perry's “Teenage Dream” CocktailWhy: Katy Perry called the album `Teenage Dream' because she wants to be a teenage dream in a pin-up poster. The JW Marriott created a sweet teenage dream of a drink with Amaretto and Orange Juice.

Ingredients:

Fill a Pilsner glass with Ice

Fill halfway with Shocktop

1 1/2 oz Amaretto

Splash of Orange Juice

Garnish Orange Slice

4. Eminem's “Recovery” CocktailWhy: To put it simply, Eminem is back. In his new album Recovery, he shows that he can still spit with the best of them, then he shows that he's better than all of them, and he knows it. The non-alcoholic “Recovery” cocktail features a sweet and sour mixture, which feels just like his music.

Ingredients (equal parts of all):

Pineapple juice

Orange juice

Cranberry juice

Splash grapefruit

Splash of grenadine

Garnish with orange & cherry

5. Arcade Fire's “The Suburbs" CocktailWhy: The Suburbs album is a complete work meant to be taken in as a single, hour long journey between adolescence and adulthood. Nothing marks that transition better than champagne!